Grindhouse - US reaction and box office
Story by Jack Foley
GRINDHOUSE, a three-hour plus tribute to the low-budget horror movies of the 1970s by directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, may have wowed the critics in America but it could only open in fourth position at the box office (from April 6-8, 2007).
The film took a disappointing $11.6 million according to early studio estimates when forecasters had expected the movie to hit the $20 million level.
The film is split into two sections – Rodriguez’ Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof, as well as trailers. It’s filmed on deliberately scratchy prints that give a period feel to the undertaking. It cost $53 million to make.
But it was soundly beaten by box office hit Blades of Glory, the skating comedy starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder which sold about $23 million worth of tickets across North America during the three days beginning April 6.
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons came second with $17 million.
Critics, however, proved kinder than audiences with most of the big guns hailing the film as a major achievement and another success for both directors.
Variety wrote: “The 1970s exploitation movie gropes, bites, kicks, slugs, blasts, smashes and cusses its way back to life in Grindhouse, a ‘Rodriguez/Tarantino double feature’ that lovingly resurrects a disreputable but cultishly embraced form.”
And The Los Angeles Times opined: S“etting aside the dubious coherence and suspect nostalgia of the enterprise, Grindhouse is a fascinating exercise in genre reinvention, a showcase for two radically different approaches to homage.
Hollywood Reporter stated: “Like all double bills of the sick, shocking, perverse exploitation movies of old, one is better than the other.”
And Maxim wrote: “A movie lovers dream come true, an absolute triumph in every way imaginable.”
Rolling Stone, meanwhile, stated: “By stooping low without selling out, this babes-and-bullets tour de force gets you high on movies again.”
Even Newsday raved saying: “Even if it’s all an aesthetic exercise, it’s an indulgence you don’t regret.”
The films opens in UK cinemas in June.
film was so terrifeck!!! the best!!!;)
— love Apr 10 #